Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle will visit Liberty County on Feb. 25 for a legislative luncheon, hosted by the chamber of commerce, to talk about the upcoming Liberty College and Career Academy and other issues.

Liberty County Chamber of Commerce executive director Leah Poole said the chamber has tried for several months to invite Cagle to town for a speaking engagement, but encountered difficulties due to the election and other conflicts.

"We wanted him to speak specifically about the career academy, which the chamber helped by serving on the steering committee," Poole said. "And we also wanted him to be able to speak towards any other legislative issues that might be of concern to our membership that in his mind we should be aware of."

The executive director said the luncheon is special to the chamber’s typical Progress Through People luncheons, which are monthly get-togethers that allow chamber members to discuss current and future projects. The luncheons are hosted in different meeting venues, and sponsors help to offset the decorating and food costs. Dryden Enterprises will help with next week’s luncheon costs, Poole said. The event will be at the Liberty County Board of Education Transportation Complex on Airport Road. Admission is $15 for chamber members and $20 for non-members. RSVPs are due today. Call Beth Stevens at 368-4445.

"I am excited to see the career academy and all that our community worked on together come to fruition," Poole said. "It is rewarding to know that one of our state’s leaders will be here to express his beliefs in the power of our community pulling together to make this academy happen for the continued growth and education of our children."

Cagle’s spokesperson, Ben Fry, said the lieutenant governor is happy to gear his luncheon speech toward education and job creation in Georgia. Cagle also has taken note of the hard work that has been put in by the education system and others in Liberty County, Fry said, and he appreciates the great work.

"The lieutenant governor is going to give an update on his vision and his perspective … I think he’s very excited about the ribbon cutting at the career academy," Fry said. "Because of his leadership, we’ve seen tremendous growth across the state."